'Superman crystal' can store data for billions of years

Metro World News

Researchers developed a data storage system that has a lifespan of 13.8 billon years.

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The so-called ‘Superman memory crystal’ could store data for billions of years.

Researchers at the University of Southampton, who developed the nano-structured glass disks, have already recorded major historical documents like the Magna Carta and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The researchers have developed the recording and retrieval processes of five dimensional (5D) digital data by etching information into the crystal’s surface. The storage allows unprecedented properties, including 360 TB/ disc data capacity, thermal stability up to 1832°F and a virtually unlimited lifetime, opening a new era of eternal data archiving.

“It is thrilling to think that we have created the technology to preserve documents and information and store it in space for future generations. This technology can secure the last evidence of our civilization: all we’ve learnt will not be forgotten,” said Peter Kazansky, professor at the University of Southhampton.